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First of all, congratulations. Fifty years is impressive. The golden anniversary. Doesn’t get much better than that. So before we continue, why don’t you take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back.

Seeing as how fifty years is so special, if you throw an anniversary party, it had better be special, too, right? Of course! And that’s why we’re here! (Well, that, and to ask you about the secret to a happy marriage. C’mon, you can tell us.)

To assist you in planning a fantastic 50th Wedding Anniversary Party, we have five fun, sure-fire ideas to celebrate you and your partner’s incredible accomplishment.

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18,262 Days and Counting!

Isn’t it just adorable? MaMaw and Papaw actually made it 50 years without strangling each other. Even more impressive, they still look and act like two little teenage lovebirds together. What better way to help them celebrate than by planning the best anniversary party yet! You’ve got some competition, considering they’ve got 48 other anniversary parties to compare it to, so it’s important to be prepared. GigSalad is here to help make it better than the wedding itself, and a lot less stressful. And after 50 years, maybe the wedding memories have begun to fade, so it’s definitely time to refresh them with new and wonderful memories of their happy nuptials. Just remember to start planning early (even as much as six months in advance for larger affairs), because you’ll want plenty of time for invitations and decorations.

Bigger than the Rest, Better than the Best

Not many couples get the chance to celebrate the 50-year mark for one reason or another, so you can’t let this one pass with packaged deli sandwiches and store-bought punch in plastic cups. Don’t bother with the paper streamers, leave the 99 red balloons at home and get ready to make a big guest list, because this one is Golden! Admittedly, not every anniversary needs a massive budget, which is why we want you to have plenty of options so you can pick and choose to fit your specific needs.

Some have suggested making a big 50th anniversary party a surprise to the happy couple, but that isn’t always necessary, or even feasible. After all, chances are they know they’ve been married for 50 years, so at least one part of the surprise is a bit of a bust. So it’s probably best to involve the couple in the event planning process. Combine your efforts so that nobody is left off the guest list, because while you know the couple very well, they might want to invite some people that you aren’t familiar with, whether old coworkers, church members or old neighbors.

Once you have the guest list, it’s time to select a venue! You don’t need to rent a fancy ballroom if someone’s house could accommodate the guest list, and if it’s a nice time of year for weather, it might even be better to host the party outdoors and simply rent any tents or tables and chairs that are needed.

With the guest list all set, and the venue selected, it’s time to start thinking about invitations! There are a number of custom printing companies on GigSalad that will go the extra mile to make your invitations a real work of art, but you can also print invitations at home using a variety of templates. Just remember, it’s the Golden Anniversary, so stick to a golden theme. For a formal party, it is very important to request that guests RSVP so you can prepare for food and favors. For an informal gathering, you can tell guests to “come as you are” and not worry about place-settings.

To Cater or Not to Cater

One question we are always asked is whether any private party or event should be catered, and there is no clear answer. Catering will increase the budget, but it will also save a lot of time for everyone planning the party. And when you have your party catered, you won’t spend the evening chasing down more finger foods and washing dishes, and although paper cups and plates are convenient, that adds to the amount of waste you will need to dispose of. Catering can take care of all these responsibilities, and it’s important to keep that in mind when budgeting for a caterer. You may save some money by doing the food yourself, but your time is also important, so don’t miss out on the party by playing waitstaff. For choosing the menu itself, don’t be afraid to get creative. If the happy couple’s first date was at a local diner, and they consider that diner to be an integral piece of their relationship, perhaps you could contact the diner about catering the party. If there is one meal that the wife has cooked the husband every week for 50 years and they both love it, don’t be afraid to choose that, just make sure they don’t have to do any of the cooking for their special day!

What about the cake? Does a 50th anniversary party require something as elaborate as the wedding cake? That all depends on the other arrangements. A formal party would do well with an elaborate anniversary cake, while a backyard gathering can be better served with something simple. If possible, use the original cake-topper from the wedding (another reason a surprise party is more complex), because those little bits of nostalgia will go a long way. If the original topper isn’t available, gold-themed toppers are available, or you can always stick with a few simple golden balls or gold leaves. And don’t be afraid to hire a professional cake decorator to make things a little less stressful for you. Depending on the couple, a champagne toast is a great tradition. Some caterers will provide this service, or you can always book a bartender or a mobile bartender to take care of the refreshments.

A Half-Century of Entertainment

What do people DO at 50th Wedding Anniversaries, exactly? Well it all depends on what the couple enjoys, because it is their special day. If they met dancing, consider hiring a wedding band that performs music from the decade the couple was married and tell everyone to get on the dance floor and cut a rug. If they aren’t too keen for getting down to boogie perhaps a DJ would be more fitting, just make sure the music selection matches the couple’s musical tastes. Ask some of their closest friends to prepare a toast, a short speech or a heartwarming story to share with everyone.

Keep in mind that 50 years is a long time, and there will likely be all ages at the party. The couple’s kids are likely to do the planning, their grandkids will lend a hand, but there may also be great-grandchildren (or great-great-grandchildren) that will need to be entertained or monitored. Make sure the entertainment meets the not-so-newlyweds tastes first and foremost, but don’t overlook the young whippersnappers and their attention spans.

Guestbooks and Gifts and Giveaways, Oh My!

What do you get for the couple that has already shared 50 years of the greatest gift ever? You’re guess is as good as ours! But we do have a few suggestions. You can (almost) never go wrong with gifts that evoke their fondest memories. Old photos refreshed in a new album to celebrate 50 years of marriage are always a home run. If you can get their original wedding photos, consider having them restored and presented to them anew, and if you can come across old films of the couple, there are a number of companies that can convert them to a more modern format for everyone to enjoy again.

Consider having gifts and party favors for the guests as well. These can be as simple as a gold-tone frame with a photograph of the happy couple or small cellophane bags of golden-wrapped chocolates, tied with a gold ribbon, or as elaborate as customized miniature bottles of champagne or a copy of the restored vintage film and a CD of music from the anniversary party. Either way, send the guests away with fond memories of the happy couple and the wonderful event.

When it comes to a guestbook, don’t be afraid to go vintage. A typewriter with long sheets of paper make a great and quirky way to let guests share their memories and well-wishes for the couple, and can be presented at the end of the celebration as a scroll tied with gold ribbon. Some also use smaller sheets of paper, which are then presented in a new album complete with photographs of the anniversary. Should you hire a professional photographer or rent a photobooth? That is up to you and your budget, but regardless you want to make sure there are plenty of photos from the celebration even if it means having a disposable camera or two at each table so the visitors can take their own photographs to share.

However you decide to celebrate a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary, whether over-the-top and formal or casual and quiet, remember that this is a milestone that many other couples may never celebrate, and GigSalad is here to help make it outstanding!